Nesting method, unit processing program generation method, pipe processing machine, pipe processing system, and computer program

Abstract

By selecting the product to be processed, the nested processing program on the NC device can be easily reconfigured. [Solution] A plurality of unit processing programs are input into a numerical control computer of a pipe processing machine, the unit processing programs including code defining a tool path for cutting out a target product from among a plurality of products cut out from a pipe, and a processing profile defined separately from the tool path that indicates the shape of each pipe cut surface of at least one pipe cut surface of the target product and the placement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe, and when a first shape, which is the shape of a first cut surface that is one of at least one pipe cut surface of a first unit processing program, matches a second shape, which is the shape of a second cut surface that is one of at least one pipe cut surface of a second unit processing program, an integrated processing program is generated so that the first cut surface and the second cut surface are made to face each other based on the placement characteristics and are machined on a common line.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a nesting method, a unit processing program generation method, a pipe processing machine, a pipe processing system, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for generating layout data used when cutting parts of multiple shapes from a pipe material in a CAM computer, and generating a nested-based machining program based on the layout data. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that enables nesting for integrating multiple unit machining programs for respectively producing multiple products in an NC device. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for adding graphic data for each of multiple products to the header of each of multiple unit machining programs, and displaying product images on an NC device based on the graphic data. An operator shifts and rotates the image on the NC device to determine the program origin of each unit machining program and the correspondence between the workpiece coordinate system and the machine coordinate system, and the NC device generates a nested machining program. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-085743 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-163111 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the method described in Patent Document 1, if minor corrections are required when the machining program is executed on a pipe processing machine, the machining program must be regenerated on a CAM computer. To solve this problem, if the method described in Patent Document 2 is applied, the user must determine the placement of each product on the NC device. When correcting a nested machining program, it is often the case that only a portion of the products manufactured by the machining program needs to be selected, and the method described in Patent Document 2 places too much of a burden on the operator if the only purpose is to do this.

[0005] The objective of the technology disclosed in this application is to provide a technology that enables easy reconfiguration of nested machining programs on an NC device by selecting a product to be machined. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A nesting method according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes preparing a plurality of unit machining programs in a computer that controls the operation of a pipe processing machine. Each of the plurality of unit machining programs includes, in its program code, code that defines a tool path for cutting out a target product from among a plurality of products cut out from a pipe, and a machining profile that is defined separately from the tool path and indicates the shape of each pipe cut surface of at least one pipe cut surface of the target product and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe. The nesting method also includes selecting, by the computer, a plurality of selected unit machining programs to be nested from the plurality of unit machining programs. The nesting method includes generating, by the computer, an integrated machining program in which multiple target products of the multiple selected unit machining programs are nested so that, when a first shape, which is the shape of a first cut surface, which is one of at least one pipe cut surface, of a first unit machining program among the multiple selected unit machining programs, matches a second shape, which is the shape of a second cut surface, which is one of at least one pipe cut surface, of a second unit machining program among the multiple selected unit machining programs, the first cut surface and the second cut surface are aligned to face each other based on an arrangement characteristic and machined on a common line. Preferably, the nesting method also includes, by the computer, reading the machining profile of each of the multiple selected unit machining programs and determining whether there is at least one set of unit machining programs in which the first shape matches the second shape.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the nesting method according to the first aspect further includes receiving, by the computer, an input indicating whether common line machining is permitted in the integrated machining program. When the input indicates that common line machining is permitted, the nesting method further includes generating an integrated machining program to commonly machine the first cut surface and the second cut surface. When the input indicates that common line machining is not permitted, the nesting method further includes generating an integrated machining program to separately machine the first cut surface and the second cut surface.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to the first or second aspect, the placement characteristics further include common line processing suitability information indicating whether each pipe cut surface is a target for common line processing or a common line processing incompatibility indicating whether each pipe cut surface is not a target for common line processing. Preferably, the placement characteristics of the first cut surface include common line processing suitability. The placement characteristics of the second cut surface include common line processing suitability.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to the third aspect, when each pipe cut surface is a flat plane, the arrangement characteristics of the flat cut surface have common line machining compatibility. The shape of the flat cut surface is defined by a first rotation angle formed by the flat cut surface and a reference plane, which is a plane perpendicular to a first rotation axis along the longitudinal direction, and a second rotation angle formed by an intersection line between the reference plane and the flat cut surface and a reference axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. An integrated machining program is generated so that the first shape and the second shape can be common line machined when the first rotation angle of the first cut surface and the first rotation angle of the second cut surface are equal.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to the fourth aspect, the tool path is defined by a workpiece coordinate system defined in each of a plurality of unit machining programs. The integrated machining program includes instructions for manufacturing a target product of a first unit machining program before a target product of a second unit machining program. Generating the integrated machining program includes determining a plurality of transformation parameters that define a rotational / translation transformation for converting the workpiece coordinate system of the first unit machining program to a workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program so that a first tool path for generating a first cutting plane coincides with a second tool path for generating a second cutting plane. Generating the integrated machining program includes preparing, before code defining the second tool path, code for setting a process for setting a reference point position of the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on a translation parameter that defines the translation transformation among the plurality of transformation parameters, and a process for setting the orientation of each coordinate axis of the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on a rotation parameter that defines the rotational transformation among the plurality of transformation parameters. Generating the integrated machining program includes disabling one of the code defining the first tool path and the code defining the second tool path.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to the fifth aspect, the placement characteristics further include at least one allowable rotation angle for rotating the target product around the first rotation axis during nesting, and the rotation parameters include one of the at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cross section.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the translation parameter includes a value minus the longitudinal length of the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface to be commonly line processed.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the pipe has a rear end face that is attached to a chuck of a pipe processing machine and a front end face that is opposite in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The arrangement characteristic has relative position information that indicates whether the target product, when nested, is located on the front side between each pipe cut surface and the rear end face, or on the rear side between each pipe cut surface and the front end face in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, selecting a plurality of selected unit machining programs includes setting priorities of the plurality of selected unit machining programs, and generating an integrated machining program includes generating code that calls the selected unit machining programs in order of priority.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the nesting method according to any of the first to ninth aspects, when the first unit machining program includes a first lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a first tool path for generating the first cutting surface, generating the integrated machining program includes disabling the first lead-in code. When the second unit machining program includes a second lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to a second tool path for generating the second cutting surface, generating the integrated machining program includes disabling the second lead-in code.

[0016] A unit machining program generation method according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes generating, by a computer, program code including code defining a tool path for cutting out a target product based on shape data of the target product, shape data of a pipe, and an arrangement of the target product within the pipe. The unit machining program generation method includes generating, by a computer, a machining profile indicating the shape of each pipe cut surface of at least one pipe cut surface of the target product and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe. The unit machining program generation method includes generating, by a computer, a unit machining program in which the machining profile is inserted into the program code.

[0017] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit machining program generation method according to the eleventh aspect, the placement characteristics further include common wire machining suitability information indicating either common wire machining suitability, which indicates that each pipe cut surface is to be subjected to common wire machining, or common wire machining insuitability, which indicates that each pipe cut surface is not to be subjected to common wire machining. Generating the program code includes generating code that can skip, based on a first flag, pipe cutting code that defines a tool path for generating a common wire machining candidate cut surface that has common wire machining suitability among at least one pipe cut surface in the workpiece coordinate system, and code that can select, based on the first flag, whether to execute processing to set the reference position of the workpiece coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the common wire machining candidate cut surface or based on a margin length from the end face of the pipe or the rear end of the target product to be machined immediately before execution of the unit machining program.

[0018] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit processing program generation method relating to the twelfth aspect, generating program code includes generating code that performs processing to rotate a work coordinate system based on transferred parameters passed from a program that calls the unit processing program.

[0019] According to a 14th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit processing program generation method relating to the 12th or 13th aspect, when generating the program code includes a lead-in code for performing lead-in processing along a path connected to a tool path for generating a common line processing candidate cutting surface, the method further includes generating code that can skip the lead-in code based on a second flag.

[0020] According to a 15th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit processing program generation method according to any one of the 10th to 14th aspects, when each pipe cut surface is a flat plane, the arrangement characteristics of the flat cut surface have common line processing compatibility. The shape of the flat cut surface is defined by a first rotation angle formed by the flat cut surface and a reference plane, which is a plane perpendicular to a first rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a second rotation angle, which is the angle formed by the intersection line between the reference plane and the flat cut surface and a reference axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

[0021] According to a 16th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit processing program generation method according to the 15th aspect, the placement characteristics further include at least one allowable rotation angle that allows the target product to be rotated around the first rotation axis in nesting.

[0022] According to a 17th aspect of the present disclosure, in the unit processing program generation method according to any one of the 10th to 14th aspects, the pipe has a rear end face that is attached to a chuck of a pipe processing machine and a front end face that is opposite in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The placement characteristic has relative position information that indicates whether the target product, when nested, is located on the front side between each pipe cut surface and the rear end face in the longitudinal direction, or on the rear side between each pipe cut surface and the front end face in the longitudinal direction. The relative position information is determined based on the placement of the target product within the pipe.

[0023] A pipe processing machine according to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method of any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0024] A pipe processing system according to a 19th aspect of the present disclosure comprises a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method of any one of the 1st to 10th aspects, an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method of any one of the 11th to 17th aspects, and a communication network connecting the numerical control computer and the external computer.

[0025] A computer program according to a 20th aspect of the present disclosure includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute any one of the nesting methods of the 1st to 10th aspects or any one of the unit processing program generation methods of the 11th to 17th aspects.

[0026] In the nesting method of the first embodiment, the pipe processing machine of the 18th embodiment equipped with a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the first embodiment, the pipe processing system of the 19th embodiment equipped with a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the first embodiment, and the computer program of the 20th embodiment equipped with instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the first embodiment, the processing profile further includes the placement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe, so that by selecting the target product to be processed, multiple target products can be automatically rearranged and their postures changed without further rearrangement by the user, making it possible to easily reconfigure the nested processing program.

[0027] The nesting method according to the second aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the second aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including a pipe processing machine including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the second aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the second aspect allow the user to decide whether or not to perform common wire processing, thereby improving user convenience.

[0028] In the nesting method according to the third aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect, which is equipped with a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the third aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect, which is equipped with a pipe processing machine equipped with a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the third aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect, which has instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the third aspect, it is possible to set whether or not common line processing is to be performed on each pipe cut surface.

[0029] In the nesting method according to the fourth aspect, the unit processing program generation method according to the fifteenth aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the fourth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including a pipe processing machine including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the fourth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the fifteenth aspect, the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the fourth aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the fifteenth aspect, common line machining is possible only when each pipe cut surface is flat, which makes it easy to determine whether common line machining is possible. Also, each pipe cut surface can be defined only by a first rotation angle and a second rotation angle.

[0030] In the nesting method according to the fifth aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the fifth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including a pipe processing machine including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the fifth aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the fifth aspect, an integrated processing program can be generated by setting translation parameters and rotation parameters without changing the code defining the first tool path and the program code defining the second tool path.

[0031] The nesting method according to the sixth aspect, the unit processing program generation method according to the sixteenth aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the sixth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including a pipe processing machine including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the sixth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the sixteenth aspect, the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the sixth aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the sixteenth aspect make it possible to quickly determine whether the shape of the first cut surface matches the shape of the second cut surface for pipes other than round pipes.

[0032] In the nesting method according to the seventh aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect having a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the seventh aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect having a pipe processing machine having a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the seventh aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect having instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the seventh aspect, common line processing can be achieved without changing the code defining the second tool path by utilizing the longitudinal distance of the pipe, which is shorter than when common line processing is not performed.

[0033] In the nesting method according to the eighth aspect, the unit processing program generation method according to the seventeenth aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighth aspect including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the eighth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including a pipe processing machine including a numerically controlled computer configured to execute the nesting method of the eighth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the seventeenth aspect, the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the eighth aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the fifteenth aspect, either the front side or the rear side can be specified as the arrangement characteristic. Since there is no need to switch the front and rear orientations from the unit processing program, there is no need to perform complicated coordinate calculations or recalculation of the offset amount in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, which makes it easier to generate an integrated processing program.

[0034] In the nesting method according to the ninth aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the eighteenth aspect including a computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the ninth aspect, the pipe processing system according to the nineteenth aspect including a pipe processing machine having a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method of the ninth aspect, and the computer program according to the twentieth aspect including instructions for causing a computer to execute the nesting method of the ninth aspect, it is possible to flexibly set nesting by processing target products that are in high demand among users first, by setting adjacent priorities for sets of multiple target products that will undergo common line processing, and by setting non-adjacent priorities for sets of multiple target products that will not undergo common line processing.

[0035] In the nesting method according to the 10th aspect, the unit processing program generation method according to the 14th aspect, the pipe processing machine according to the 18th aspect including a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method according to the 10th aspect, the pipe processing system according to the 19th aspect including a pipe processing machine including a numerical control computer configured to execute the nesting method of the 10th aspect, the pipe processing system according to the 19th aspect including an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 14th aspect, the computer program according to the 20th aspect including instructions to cause a computer to execute the nesting method of the 10th aspect, and the computer program according to the 20th aspect including instructions to cause a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 14th aspect, it is possible to set a tool path that performs common line processing so that lead-in processing is not performed.

[0036] In the unit processing program generation method according to the 11th aspect, the pipe processing system according to the 19th aspect having an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 11th aspect, and the computer program according to the 20th aspect having instructions for causing a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 11th aspect, it is possible to generate a unit processing program including a processing program based on shape data of the target product, shape data of the pipe, and the arrangement of the target product within the pipe.

[0037] In the unit processing program generation method according to the 12th aspect, the pipe processing system according to the 19th aspect having an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 12th aspect, and the computer program according to the 20th aspect having instructions to cause a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 12th aspect, whether or not common line processing is to be executed can be set simply by setting the first flag in the integrated processing program that calls the unit processing program, making it easy to generate the integrated processing program.

[0038] In the unit processing program generation method according to the 13th aspect, the pipe processing system according to the 19th aspect having an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 13th aspect, and the computer program according to the 20th aspect having instructions for causing a computer to execute the unit processing program generation method according to the 13th aspect, the orientation of the coordinate axes of the work coordinate system can be set simply by setting the transferred parameters in the integrated processing program that calls the unit processing program, thereby facilitating the generation of the integrated processing program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] The nesting method, unit processing program generation method, pipe processing machine, pipe processing system, and computer program disclosed in the present application make it possible to easily reconstruct a nested processing program on an NC device by selecting a product to be processed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of a pipe processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an example of program code for a unit processing program. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is another example of the program code of the unit processing program. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the user interface of the nesting program. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an example of an additional user interface for the nesting program. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example of a confirmation screen for the integrated machining program when an input permitting common line machining is entered. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an outline of the program code of the integrated machining program when common line machining is performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the program code of the unit processing program shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the program code of the unit processing program shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an example of a confirmation screen for the integrated machining program when an input is made to not allow common line machining. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an outline of the program code of the integrated machining program when common line machining is not performed. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an example of a confirmation screen for the integrated processing program when input is made to nest multiple target products that have pipe cut surfaces that have common line processing compatibility as a placement characteristic but no partner for common line processing. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of a confirmation screen for an integrated processing program when input is made to nest multiple target products having pipe cut surfaces in the case where the arrangement characteristic is incompatible with common line processing. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the unit processing program generating method according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the nesting method according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the nesting method according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the detailed process flow of step S27 in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the detailed process flow of step S28 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof, in which the same reference numerals designate corresponding or substantially identical components. <Embodiment> <Configuration of Pipe Processing Machine 1> 1 shows an external configuration diagram of a pipe processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pipe processing system 100 includes a pipe processing machine 1, an external computer 2, and a communication network 3. The pipe processing machine 1 includes a base 10, a chuck 12, a laser processing head 14, a first workpiece support member 16, a second workpiece support member 17, an additional workpiece support member 19, a headstock 20, a spindle 22, an additional chuck 24, a steady rest 26, and a numerical control computer 30. The chuck 12 is configured to grip a workpiece W so that the workpiece W can rotate about a rotation axis Ax.

[0042] The workpiece W is, for example, a round pipe or a square pipe. The cross section of the square pipe is preferably square, but may be any polygonal shape. The workpiece W is also gripped by an additional chuck 24 provided on the spindle 22. One end of the workpiece W is attached to the spindle 22 via the additional chuck 24, and the spindle 22 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis Ax together with the workpiece W. In other words, the additional chuck 24 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis Ax together with the spindle 22. The pipe, which is the workpiece W, has a rear end surface RS attached to the chuck (additional chuck 24) of the pipe processing machine 1 and a longitudinal direction D of the pipe along the rotation axis Ax. L and a front end surface FS opposite to the front end surface FS.

[0043] The headstock 20 supports the spindle 22 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis Ax. The headstock 20 is provided at one end of the base 10. The headstock 20 is guided by rails (not shown) provided on the base 10 and is movable in the axial direction Dx along the rotation axis Ax. The spindle 22 and the additional chuck 24 are movable in the axial direction Dx together with the headstock 20. The steady rest 26 is configured to support the workpiece W rotatably about the rotation axis Ax between the chuck 12 and the additional chuck 24 in the axial direction Dx. The headstock 20, spindle 22, additional chuck 24, and steady rest 26 are provided on a second side S2 of the chuck 12 opposite to the first side S1 shown in the figure. Note that the pipe processing machine 1 does not necessarily have to include the steady rest 26.

[0044] The workpiece W is held by the chuck 12 so as to penetrate through it. As the headstock 20 moves in a forward direction Df from the headstock 20 toward the chuck 12 in the axial direction Dx, the workpiece W is pushed out of the chuck 12 in the forward direction Df. As the workpiece W is rotated by the spindle 22, the machining surface of the workpiece W protruding from the chuck 12 is directed toward the laser machining head 14. The laser machining head 14 is provided on a first side S1, which is the opposite side of the chuck 12 from the additional chuck 24 in the axial direction Dx, with respect to the chuck 12, and is configured to machine the workpiece W with laser light to manufacture a product. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, the laser machining head 14 is tiltable in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv toward the axial direction Dx. The vertical direction Dv refers to a bilateral direction that points in the direction of gravity or the opposite direction. The vertical direction Dv substantially coincides with a height direction Dh along the height of the pipe processing machine 1. 1 illustrates an example in which the laser processing head 14 is tilted in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv to the forward direction Df, but the laser processing head 14 may also be tilted in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv to the backward direction Dr, which is opposite to the forward direction Df. The laser processing head 14 may also be tiltable in a direction inclined from the vertical direction Dv to the width direction Dw, which is perpendicular to both the axial direction Dx and the vertical direction Dv. The machine coordinate system of the pipe processing machine 1 is defined by the X-axis, whose positive direction is the backward direction Dr; the Z-axis, whose positive direction is the upward direction in the height direction Dh; the Y-axis, whose positive direction is the direction from the front side of the paper to the back side of the paper in FIG. 1, of the width direction Dw; the B-axis, which is expressed by the amount of rotation (°) about the Y-axis; and the C-axis, which is expressed by the amount of rotation (°) about the X-axis.

[0045] The first work support member 16 and the second work support member 17 are provided on the first side S1. The first work support member 16 and the second work support member 17 are preferably rollers. The first work support member 16 and the second work support member 17 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1 and are able to discharge the product machined by the laser processing head 14 in the forward direction Df. The pipe processing machine 1 may further be provided with an additional work support member 19 for supporting a long workpiece W. The additional work support member 19 is also preferably a roller for the convenience of discharging the workpiece W. However, the first work support member 16, the second work support member 17, and the additional work support member 19 may also be plate-shaped members. <Configuration of the numerical control computer 30 and operation of the program installed in the numerical control computer 30> The numerical control computer 30 is a computer that controls the operation of the pipe processing machine 1. The numerical control computer 30 includes a monitor 31, input devices 32, at least one hardware processor 33, a memory 34, a system bus 36, a network adapter 37, and an input / output interface 38. The at least one hardware processor 33, the memory 34, the system bus 36, the network adapter 37, and the input / output interface 38 are examples of electrical circuits. The system bus 36 electrically connects the at least one hardware processor 33 to the memory 34, the system bus 36, the network adapter 37, and the input / output interface 38 in a manner that allows them to send and receive data and instructions to and from each other. The network adapter 37 is a network adapter such as a wired / wireless LAN that connects to other computers via the communication network 3.

[0046] The input / output interface 38 is an interface for connecting the monitor 31, input device 32, actuator (not shown), laser oscillator (not shown), and hardware processor 33, and refers to, for example, a video card, various serial / parallel communication interfaces, and interfaces for sending signals to the drivers of the actuators and laser oscillator. The actuators refer to, for example, motors that move the chuck 12, laser processing head 14, first workpiece support member 16, second workpiece support member 17, additional workpiece support member 19, headstock 20, spindle 22, and additional chuck 24. The laser oscillator is configured to output a laser to the laser processing head 14.

[0047] The monitor 31 is typically provided on a control panel of the numerical control computer 30. The input device 32 typically includes keys and buttons provided on the control panel of the numerical control computer 30. Furthermore, if the monitor 31 has a touch panel, the input device 32 also includes the touch panel. However, the monitor 31 and the input device 32 are not limited to the above examples, and may be any monitor and input device connected to the numerical control computer 30 via the hardware processor 33.

[0048] The memory 34 is configured to store a control program 5, a nesting program 6, an integrated machining program 7, a plurality of unit machining programs 8, and a plurality of original integrated machining programs 9. Therefore, the plurality of unit machining programs 8 and the plurality of original integrated machining programs 9 are prepared in the numerical control computer 30. Each of the integrated machining program 7, the plurality of unit machining programs 8, and the plurality of original integrated machining programs 9 is written, for example, in EIA / ISO program code and includes code defining a tool path for cutting out a target product from a plurality of products cut out from a pipe (workpiece W). Each of the plurality of unit machining programs 8 includes, in its program code, a machining profile 80 (described in detail below) that indicates the shape of each pipe cut surface of at least one pipe cut surface of the target product and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe. Here, the target product refers to a product manufactured by each of the plurality of unit machining programs 8. Details of the machining programs will be described later. The integrated machining program 7 includes code for calling the plurality of unit machining programs 8. The multiple original integrated machining programs 9 are programs in which multiple products are nested and generated by CAD / CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software in the external computer 2, and when the original integrated machining program 9 is generated, a unit machining program 8 corresponding to each product to be manufactured by the original integrated machining program 9 is generated. The memory 34 stores multiple unit machining programs 8 corresponding to all products to be manufactured by the original integrated machining program 9.

[0049] The control program 5 has a software library for generating various signals to be output via an input / output interface 38 in order to control the actuators and the laser oscillators described above based on the EIA / ISO program codes written in the integrated machining program 7 and the multiple unit machining programs 8. In other words, the memory 34 contains instructions that, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute pipe machining defined by the integrated machining program 7 and the multiple unit machining programs 8.

[0050] 2 and 3 show an example of the program code of the unit machining program 8. In FIGS. 2 and 3, an image showing the three-dimensional shape of the target product in computer graphics is shown to the right of the program code of the unit machining program 8. FIGS. 2 and 3 are examples of screens displayed on the monitor 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the program code of the unit machining program 8 includes a machining profile 80 expressed as a comment. The machining profile 80 includes a workpiece profile 81, a product shape profile 82, and a layout characteristic profile 83. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of analyzing comment lines of the program code of the unit machining program 8 and extracting information relating to the workpiece profile 81, the product shape profile 82, and the layout characteristic profile 83.

[0051] In the examples of Figures 2 and 3, the workpiece material profile 81 indicates in the "MATERIAL:" line that the pipe material is iron (STEEL) and the laser gas is oxygen (O2). The workpiece material profile 81 indicates in the "THICKNESS:" line that the pipe wall thickness is 1.6 mm. The workpiece material profile 81 indicates in the "SECTION:" line that the pipe shape is a round pipe and its diameter is 50.8 mm. The workpiece material profile 81 indicates in the "PARTS LENGTH:" line that the pipe longitudinal direction D of the target product is 1.6 mm.L The workpiece profile 81 indicates in the "PARTS CYCLE TIME:" line that the cycle time for manufacturing the target product in FIG. 2 is 1 minute 10 seconds, and the cycle time for manufacturing the target product in FIG. 3 is 1 minute 15 seconds.

[0052] The product shape profile 82 is a profile that indicates the shape of each pipe cross section of at least one pipe cross section of the target product. The arrangement characteristic profile 83 is a profile that indicates the arrangement characteristic of each pipe cross section within the pipe. The product shape profile 82 and the arrangement characteristic profile 83 are profiles that indicate the arrangement characteristic of each pipe cross section within the pipe when the target product is nested. L In the case of the front side (FRONT) located between each pipe cut surface and the rear end surface RS, or the longitudinal direction D L In other words, the placement characteristics have the relative position information described above. The shape of the front cut surface of each pipe cut surface is placed at the front even after nesting, and is never swapped and placed at the rear. The shape of the rear cut surface of each pipe cut surface is placed at the rear even after nesting, and is never swapped and placed at the front.

[0053] The layout characteristics represented by the layout characteristic profile 83 further include common line processing suitability information 83A in the "FRONT COMMON CUT:" and "REAR COMMON CUT:" lines, which indicates whether each pipe cut surface is subject to common line processing suitability (VALID), or common line processing insuitability (INVALID), indicating that each pipe cut surface is not subject to common line processing. When each pipe cut surface is a flat cut surface, the layout characteristic of that pipe cut surface has common line processing suitability (VALID). Note that common line processing here refers to processing that eliminates the margin length between products when the shapes of the two opposing cut surfaces of the target products match. The processing profile 80 includes product shape profiles 82, "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "FRONT EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:," which define the shape of the front pipe cut surface. The processing profile 80 includes "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:", which are product shape profiles 82 that define the shape of the rear pipe cut surface. When "FRONT COMMON CUT:" is "INVALID", a dummy value is set in the product shape profile 82 that defines the shape of the front pipe cut surface. When "REAR COMMON CUT:" is "INVALID", a dummy value is set in the product shape profile 82 that defines the shape of the rear pipe cut surface. The dummy value is, for example, 0.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the product shape profile 82 indicates the longitudinal direction D in the lines "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:". LThe product shape profile 82 includes a first rotation angle formed by the reference plane RP, which is a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis (X-axis) along the line "FRONT EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:", and the planar cutting plane CP. The product shape profile 82 includes, in the lines "FRONT EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:", a second rotation angle which is the angle formed by the intersection line between the reference plane RP and the planar cutting plane CP and a reference axis (Y-axis) perpendicular to the first rotation axis (X-axis). In other words, the shape of the planar cutting plane is defined by the above-mentioned first rotation angle and the above-mentioned second rotation angle.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the placement characteristic represented by the placement characteristic profile 83 further includes at least one allowable rotation angle 83B in the "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" row at which the target product can be rotated around the first rotation axis (X-axis) during nesting. The "0" in "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" in FIG. 2 means that rotation is not permitted. The "360" in "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" in FIG. 3 means that rotation is permitted at any rotation angle. Note that when the workpiece W is a square pipe, it can be rotated at any rotation angle of "0," "90," or "180." "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE: 0" means that rotation is not permitted, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE: 90" means that rotation is permitted in 90-degree increments, and "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE: 180" means that rotation is permitted in 180-degree increments.

[0056] The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, comprises instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing to generate a user interface 60 for selecting a plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a to be nested from a plurality of unit machining programs 8, and display the user interface 60 on the monitor 31. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, comprises instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing to analyze comment lines of the program code of the unit machining program 8, and extract information relating to a workpiece profile 81, a product shape profile 82, and an arrangement characteristic profile 83.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows an example of a user interface 60 of the nesting program 6. The user interface 60 includes, as elements, a table 61 displaying workpiece attributes and a list 55 displaying multiple unit machining programs 8 stored in the memory 34. In this user interface 60, an original integrated machining program 9 that serves as the basis for the integrated machining program 7 is preselected and displayed. The program code of the original integrated machining program 9 includes a workpiece profile 81 expressed as a comment. The table 61 shows the content of the workpiece profile 81 of the preselected original integrated machining program 9. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of displaying, as the list 55, multiple unit machining programs 8 that include the same workpiece profile 81 as the workpiece profile 81 of the preselected original integrated machining program 9 from among the multiple unit machining programs 8 stored in the memory 34.

[0058] The list 55 includes as elements check boxes 56 for selecting a plurality of unit machining programs 8, text 57 showing identification information (e.g., program names) of the plurality of unit machining programs 8, and text 58 showing the creation dates and times of the plurality of unit machining programs 8. The check boxes 56, the text 57, and the text 58 are displayed in a plurality of columns, one for each of the plurality of unit machining programs 8. These columns can be selected by touching or the like.

[0059] The user interface 60 includes, as elements, an order list 49 and a button 59. When several check boxes 56 are selected and the button 59 is pressed, the unit processing programs 8 corresponding to the selected check boxes 56 are added to the end of the order list 49. If multiple check boxes 56 are selected and the button 59 is pressed, the unit processing programs 8 corresponding to the selected multiple check boxes 56 are added to the end of the order list 49 in the order displayed in the list 55. The multiple unit processing programs 8 displayed in this order list 49 correspond to the multiple selected unit processing programs 8a. The check boxes 56 may be other selection interfaces, such as radio buttons or a drop-down list.

[0060] The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a nesting process to manufacture target products of the plurality of unit machining programs 8 displayed on the order list 49 in the order from the top of the order list 49. The display order of this order list 49 is called the priority order. Therefore, selecting the plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a includes setting the priority order of the plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a.

[0061] The order list 49 includes as elements check boxes 62 for selecting multiple selected unit processing programs 8a, text 63 representing identification information (e.g., program names) of the multiple unit processing programs 8, a numerical input form 64 for inputting the number of target products to be manufactured, icons 65 representing the general shapes of the front end shape and rear end shape, an icon 66 representing information on whether common line processing is possible, computer graphics 67 representing the product shape, and a button 68 for transitioning to an additional user interface 70 described below.

[0062] Check boxes 62, text 63, numeric input forms 64, icons 65, and icons 66 are displayed in a plurality of columns, one for each of the plurality of unit machining programs 8. These columns can be selected by touch or the like. When one column is selected, the product shape of the unit machining program 8 corresponding to that column is displayed by computer graphics 67. Note that even when one column in the list 55 is selected, the product shape of the unit machining program 8 corresponding to that column is displayed by computer graphics 67.

[0063] The identification information represented by text 63 is, for example, information represented as a comment next to the program number. Icon 65A shown in Fig. 4 indicates that the values ​​of "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" are not 0. When the values ​​of "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" are 0, icon B (see Figs. 12 and 13) indicating that the cutting plane is perpendicular to the rotation axis Ax is used as icon 65.

[0064] In the target product shown in Figures 2 and 3, all pipe cut surfaces are flat cut surfaces, so icon 66 shown in Figure 4 indicates that "FRONT COMMON CUT:" and "REAR COMMON CUT:" are "VALID." In other words, icon 66 indicates that the layout characteristics of all pipe cut surfaces are compatible with common line processing. When "FRONT COMMON CUT:" and "REAR COMMON CUT:" are "INVALID," icon 66C (see Figure 13) without a check mark is used as icon 66.

[0065] The user interface 60 includes, as elements, an up arrow button 69A, a down arrow button 69B, and a trash box button 69C. When the up arrow button 69A is pressed, the priority of the selected unit machining program 8a corresponding to the checked check box 62 increases by one. When the down arrow button 69B is pressed, the priority of the selected unit machining program 8a corresponding to the checked check box 62 decreases by one. When the trash box button 69C is pressed, the selected unit machining program 8a corresponding to the checked check box 62 is deleted from the order list 49. The check box 62 may be another selection interface, such as a radio button or a drop-down list. The method of selecting multiple selected unit machining programs 8a from the multiple unit machining programs 8 and the method of setting the priority of the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a are not limited to the above-mentioned methods. Multiple selected unit machining programs 8a may also be selected based on a production plan.

[0066] When the button 68 is pressed, the additional user interface 70 in FIG. 5 is displayed. FIG. 5 shows an example of the additional user interface 70 of the nesting program 6 when "1" is entered in all of the numeric input forms 64 in FIG. 4. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, generates the additional user interface 70 and includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing for displaying it on the monitor 31. The additional user interface 70 includes a numeric input form 71 for inputting the margin length from the front end face FS to the front end product and the margin length between target products when common line processing is not performed, and a numeric input form 72 for inputting the longitudinal direction D between the front end face FS and the rear end face RS. L The screen includes, as elements, a numerical value input form 72 for inputting the distance (length of the workpiece W), a toggle button 73 for inputting whether or not common line processing is to be performed, and a button 76 for transitioning to a confirmation screen 50, which will be described later. Note that the toggle button 73 may be a different selection form such as a radio button or a check box.

[0067] The margin length entered in the numerical input form 71 is set as the distance from the front end surface FS to the front end product and the minimum distance between target products when common line machining is not performed. The workpiece length entered in the numerical input form 72 is used to adjust the number of target products of the selected unit machining programs 8a to be placed within one workpiece. When executed by at least one hardware processor 33, the nesting program 6 prioritizes the target products of the selected unit machining programs 8a and nests them. If the total length of the set of target products exceeds the workpiece length, the nesting program 6 determines a set of target products of the selected unit machining programs 8a that falls within the range of the workpiece length. After the invocation of that set of selected unit machining programs 8a is completed, and before the invocation of the next set of selected unit machining programs 8a, the program instructs the numerical control computer 30 to execute the process of generating code for workpiece removal and insertion to generate the integrated machining program 7.

[0068] In the following explanation, among the set of target products of the selected unit processing programs 8a that fall within the range of the material length, the selected unit processing program 8a that is called first in the integrated processing program 7 will be referred to as the first unit processing program, and the selected unit processing program 8a that is called immediately thereafter in the integrated processing program 7 will be referred to as the second unit processing program. In other words, the integrated processing program 7 includes instructions to manufacture the target products of the first unit processing program before the target products of the second unit processing program.

[0069] The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of receiving an input, via a toggle button 73, as to whether or not common line machining is permitted in the integrated machining program 7. Fig. 6 shows an example of the confirmation screen 50 of the integrated machining program 7 when an input to permit common line machining is made via the toggle button 73 in Fig. 5 and the button 76 is pressed. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of generating the confirmation screen 50 and displaying it on the monitor 31. In addition to the above-mentioned text 63, text 64A displaying the numerical value entered in the numerical value input form 64, icons 65 and 66, and computer graphics 67, the confirmation screen 50 also includes as elements computer graphics 51 displaying the three-dimensional shape of a product set obtained by nesting multiple target products corresponding to multiple selected unit machining programs 8a, text 52 indicating the number of processes to be performed on the nested product set, text 53 indicating the cycle time required to manufacture one product set, and button 54. The functions of the text 63, icons 65 and 66, and computer graphics 67 are the same as those in the above-mentioned user interface 60, and therefore their explanations will be omitted. The text 64A simply displays the numerical value entered in the numerical value input form 64 in the above-mentioned user interface 60, and therefore its explanation will be omitted.

[0070] When common line machining is permitted by input from the toggle button 73, the nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of determining whether the arrangement characteristics of a first cut surface, which is one of at least one pipe cut surface of the first unit machining program, and a second cut surface, which is one of at least one pipe cut surface of the second unit machining program, which are arranged opposite each other, are compatible with common line machining. In the case of FIG. 4 , as shown by icon 66, the arrangement characteristics of the first cut surface are compatible with common line machining, and the arrangement characteristics of the second cut surface are also compatible with common line machining. Furthermore, when executed by the at least one hardware processor 33, the nesting program 6 includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of determining whether the first shape, which is the shape of the first cut surface, matches the second shape, which is the shape of the second cut surface, if the first rotation angle of the first cut surface and the first rotation angle of the second cut surface are equal. In other words, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, the nesting program 6 has instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of determining that the first shape matches the second shape if the value of one of the "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" corresponding to the first cross section matches the value of the other of the "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" corresponding to the second cross section.

[0071] When common line machining is permitted by input using the toggle button 73, the respective placement characteristics of the first and second cutting planes are compatible with common line machining, and the first shape satisfies the condition for matching the second shape, the nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process for determining multiple transformation parameters that define a rotational / translation transformation for converting the workpiece coordinate system of the first unit machining program to the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program so that the first tool path for generating the first cutting plane matches the second tool path for generating the second cutting plane. The transformation parameters include a translation parameter that defines the translational transformation and a rotation parameter that defines the rotational transformation. The translation parameter includes, for example, the longitudinal lengths of the pipes having the first and second cutting plane shapes to be common line machined. The rotation parameter includes one of at least one allowable rotation angle 83B specified in the placement characteristic profile 83 of the second unit machining program and rotation axis information.

[0072] In the example of FIG. 6, the "REAR EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" of the target product in FIG. 2 and the "FRONT EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" of the target product in FIG. 3 are both 45°. The allowable rotation angle 83B of the target product in FIG. 2 is 0°, while the allowable rotation angle 83B of the target product in FIG. 3 is arbitrary. Therefore, if the target product in FIG. 3 is rotated 180° around the X axis (180° along the C axis), the first shape and the second shape can be aligned. The translation parameter is determined to be the value obtained by subtracting the product of the diameter of the workpiece W (pipe) multiplied by the tangent of the rotation angle (45°) described above.

[0073] The computer graphics 51 are graphics in which target products of multiple selected unit processing programs 8a are arranged in order of priority. The three-dimensional shape of the product set is displayed in the computer graphics 51 so that the rear pipe cut surface of the target product in Figure 2 and the front pipe cut surface of the target product in Figure 3 are machined on a common line. The distance between the target product in Figure 2 and the target product in Figure 3 is adjusted based on the translation parameters described above.

[0074] Text 52 indicates the number of processes for the product set displayed in computer graphics 51. Since one target product in FIG. 2 and one target product in FIG. 3 have been entered in the numerical value input form 64, "1" is displayed as text 52. Text 53 indicating the cycle time displays the sum of the cycle time (1 minute 10 seconds) listed in the workpiece material profile 81 of the target product in FIG. 2 and the cycle time (1 minute 15 seconds) listed in the workpiece material profile 81 of the target product in FIG. 3.

[0075] The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing for generating the integrated machining program 7 in response to pressing of the button 54 so that the first cut surface and the second cut surface are machined on a common line. More specifically, the nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing for generating the integrated machining program 7 so that the first shape and the second shape are machined on a common line when the first rotation angle of the first cut surface and the first rotation angle of the second cut surface are equal.

[0076] FIG. 7 shows an overview of the source code of the integrated machining program 7 generated to machine the first and second shapes on a common line. Processing not specific to the present invention is omitted in FIG. 7. The program code of the integrated machining program 7 includes multiple selected unit machining programs 8a as macro programs and G65 codes that call the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a. The first G65 code is set to call macro program O0002 using the argument P, and the next G65 code is set to call macro program O0003 using the argument P. The calling order of macro programs O0002 and O0003 is the same as the priority order described above. In other words, generating the integrated machining program 7 includes generating code that calls the selected unit machining programs 8a in order of priority. The G65 code is configured to be executed using a WHILE statement in case multiple numbers are specified in the numeric input form 64. The value following LE in the WHILE statement is entered as the value in the numeric input form 64. Furthermore, when the same selected unit machining program 8a is executed continuously, if the common line machining settings of the first or last selected unit machining program 8a executed and the remaining selected unit machining programs 8a are different, a different G65 code can be set in the WHILE statement depending on the value of macro variable #996.

[0077] Argument I is the first flag that sets whether or not common line machining is performed. When the first flag is set to 0, the macro program performs special processing to perform common line machining. When the first flag is set to 1, the macro program performs normal processing without performing common line machining. Argument C sets the rotation angle for rotating the work coordinate system in the macro program. Argument J is the second flag that sets whether or not lead-in machining is performed on the pipe cut surface at the rear of the product. When the second flag is set to 0, the macro program performs lead-in machining. When the second flag is set to 1, the macro program does not perform lead-in machining. Argument X is an argument that sets the distance from the front end face FS to the front end product and the minimum distance between the target products when common line machining is not performed.

[0078] Argument I is set to 0 if the front pipe cut surface of the target product's pipe cut surfaces corresponds to the second cut surface, and is set to 1 if not. Argument J is set to 0 if the rear pipe cut surface of the target product's pipe cut surfaces corresponds to the first cut surface determined by the processing up to this point, and is set to 1 if not. Argument C is set to an angle among at least one allowable rotation angle 83B that makes the first cut surface and the second cut surface parallel. Argument X is input as the value entered in numerical value input form 71.

[0079] Figure 8 shows detailed program code of the macro program O0002 in Figure 7, which is the program code of the unit machining program 8 shown in Figure 2. Figure 9 shows detailed program code of the macro program O0003 in Figure 7, which is the program code of the unit machining program 8 shown in Figure 3. In Figures 8 and 9, the description of the machining profile 80 already explained and processes that are not specific to the present invention are omitted.

[0080] First, in Figures 8 and 9, the multiple G01 codes from sequence number N1 to sequence number N2 define the tool path for generating the front pipe cut surface. The multiple G01 codes from sequence number N2 to sequence number N3 define the tool path for generating the rear pipe cut surface. The target product manufactured by macro program O0002 in Figure 8 and the target product manufactured by macro program O0003 in Figure 9 all have common line machining compatibility at the front and rear pipe cut surfaces. Therefore, the multiple G01 codes from sequence number N1 to sequence number N2 and the multiple G01 codes from sequence number N2 to sequence number N3 correspond to pipe cutting codes that define the tool path for generating at least one common line machining candidate cut surface that is compatible with common line machining in the workpiece coordinate system among the pipe cut surfaces. These tool paths are defined using the workpiece coordinate system defined by each of the multiple unit machining programs 8. The numerical control computer 30 automatically controls the movement of the laser machining head 14 and the movement of the headstock 20 while referencing the coordinate values ​​of the tool path in the workpiece coordinate system. When the laser machining head 14 is moved, the correspondence between the workpiece coordinate system and the machine coordinate system does not change, but when the headstock 20 is moved, the correspondence between the workpiece coordinate system and the machine coordinate system changes. When machining multiple compatible products, the numerical control computer 30 controls the machining of each tool path while setting each workpiece coordinate system with a G92 code.

[0081] In Figures 8 and 9, the G90G92 code describing processes A1, A2, B1, and B2, which are set before the pipe cutting code described above, converts the X-axis coordinate system using the argument X. Macro variable #4 in Figures 8 and 9, i.e., the first flag, is input as argument I in the G65 code. When macro variable #4 is 1, a process without common line machining is selected; when macro variable #4 is 0, a process with common line machining is selected. Processes A1 and A2 in Figures 8 and 9 are executed when common line machining is not performed. Processes A1 and A2 set the workpiece coordinate system by advancing it by the margin length from the front end surface FS to the front end product, or the margin length between target products when common line machining is not performed, entered in the numerical input form 71. In other words, processes A1 and A2 set the reference position of the workpiece coordinate system based on the margin length from the end face of the pipe or the rear end of the target product to be machined immediately before execution of the unit machining program.

[0082] Processes B1 and B2 in Figures 8 and 9 are executed when the common line is machined. Processes B1 and B2 are processes for setting the reference position of the workpiece coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the pipe at the common line machining candidate cut surface. In other words, processes B1 and B2 are processes for setting the workpiece coordinate system by moving it back by the longitudinal length of the pipe at the first cut surface and the second cut surface to be machined. The longitudinal lengths of the pipe at the first cut surface and the second cut surface are translation parameters. Therefore, processes B1 and B2 correspond to processes for setting the position of the reference point of the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on a translation parameter that defines the translation transformation among multiple transformation parameters when machining the common line.

[0083] As is clear from the source code in Fig. 8, which of process A1 and process B1 is to be executed is selected based on the first flag. As is clear from the source code in Fig. 9, which of process A1 and process B1 is to be executed is selected based on the first flag. Therefore, generating the program code of the unit machining program 8 includes generating code that can select, based on the first flag, whether to execute the process of setting the reference position of the workpiece coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the pipe at the common line machining candidate cut surface, or based on the end face of the pipe or the margin length from the rear end of the target product to be machined immediately before execution of the unit machining program.

[0084] In Figures 8 and 9, the G90G92 code, which describes processes C1 and C2 set before the pipe cutting code described above, is code that sets the C-axis coordinate system by using argument C of the G65 code. Macro variable #5045, which is part of argument C of the G90G92 code, is the value of the C-axis coordinate system in which the current position of the laser processing head 14 in the pipe processing machine 1 is set. Macro variable #3, which is part of argument C of the G90G92 code, is input as argument C in G65, which will be described later. Therefore, processes C1 and C2 correspond to processes that set the orientation of each coordinate axis of the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit processing program based on a rotation parameter that specifies rotational transformation among multiple transformation parameters. This rotation parameter includes the setting content of the C-axis.

[0085] The multiple selected unit machining programs 8a (multiple unit machining programs 8) include, following the G90G92 codes describing steps C1 and C2, macro variable #4, i.e., the first flag, when 0 (in other words, when common line machining is performed), code for moving the laser machining head 14 to the end position of the front pipe cutting process, skipping the code for machining the target product with the tool path for generating the front pipe cut surface, and machining the target product with the tool path for generating the rear pipe cut surface (steps D1 and D2). In other words, the code for steps D1 and D2 corresponds to code that can skip the above-mentioned pipe cutting code based on the first flag. Generating program code for the unit machining program 8 includes generating code that can skip, based on the first flag, the pipe cutting code that defines a tool path for generating a common line machining candidate cut surface that is compatible with common line machining among at least one pipe cut surface in the workpiece coordinate system.

[0086] In macro program O0002, argument I is 1, so when macro program O0002 is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, a process of machining the target product with a tool path for generating a front pipe cut surface is executed, and a process of machining the target product with a tool path for generating a rear pipe cut surface is executed. In macro program O0003, argument I is 0, so when macro program O0003 is executed by at least one hardware processor 33, a process of machining the target product with a tool path for generating a front pipe cut surface is skipped, and a process of machining the target product with a tool path for generating a rear pipe cut surface is executed.

[0087] The tool path for generating the front pipe cut surface in the macro program O0003 corresponds to the tool path for generating the second cut surface. Therefore, generating the integrated machining program 7 includes preparing program code for setting, before the code defining the tool path for generating the second cut surface, a process for setting the position of a reference point in the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on a translation parameter that defines a translation transformation among the multiple transformation parameters, and a process for setting the orientation of each coordinate axis of the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on a rotation parameter that defines a rotation transformation among the multiple transformation parameters. In the above example, the process for machining the target product with the tool path for generating the rear pipe cut surface in the macro program O0002 may be skipped, and the process for machining the target product with the tool path for generating the front pipe cut surface in the macro program O0003 may be executed. Therefore, the nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to disable one of the code defining the first tool path and the code defining the second tool path. Note that disabling is not limited to this method, and one of the code defining the first tool path and the code defining the second tool path may be deleted from the unit machining program 8, or skipped using other methods such as an IF statement.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 9, between sequence number N1 and the program code corresponding to the second tool path, there are inserted code for selectively executing a piercing process (process X1) based on whether piercing is set in the processing conditions for laser processing set by the unit processing program 8, and code for outputting the laser output set in the processing conditions (process X2). Macro variable #154701 in the program is set to a value other than 0 when piercing is set in the processing conditions, and is set to 0 when piercing is set in the processing conditions. In addition, after the code corresponding to the second tool path, there is included code for stopping the laser output (process X3). Note that the unit processing program 8 in FIG. 8 also includes code corresponding to the above processes X1 to X3 in the locations corresponding to the tool paths for the front pipe cut surface.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 8, between sequence number N2 and the program code corresponding to the first tool path, there is inserted code that can selectively determine whether or not to perform lead-in machining (rear lead-in machining) before machining the first tool path, depending on whether macro variable #5 is 1. Macro variable #5 is input as argument J, i.e., the second flag, in the G65 code. When macro variable #5 is 0, processing without rear lead-in machining is selected, and when macro variable #5 is 1, processing with rear lead-in machining is selected. Generating the program code for the unit machining program 8 further includes generating code that can skip the lead-in code based on the second flag when it includes lead-in code for performing lead-in machining along a path connected to the tool path for generating the common line machining candidate cutting surface. In the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, this lead-in code includes a G00 code that moves the laser machining head 14 to the lead-in machining start position, followed by a first movement code (G01 code) to the pipe cutting surface. If rear lead-in processing is not performed, a process is executed to move the laser processing head 14 to the initial position for common line processing. After the code that can be selectively executed to determine whether or not rear lead-in processing is performed, code that can selectively execute a piercing process (process X4) and code that outputs the laser output set by the processing conditions (process X5) are inserted. After the program corresponding to the second tool path, code that stops the laser output (process X6) is included. Note that the unit processing program 8 in Figure 9 also includes codes corresponding to the above processes X4 to X6 in the locations corresponding to the tool path for the rear pipe cut surface.

[0090] The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing to disable the first lead-in code when the first unit machining program includes a first lead-in code for executing lead-in machining along a path connected to a first tool path for generating a first cutting surface. Specifically, the first lead-in code can be disabled by entering a value of 0 into argument J of the G65 code that calls the macro program O0002 to generate the integrated machining program 7. Note that this method of disabling is not limited to this, and the first lead-in code may be deleted from the unit machining program 8 or skipped by another method such as a GOTO statement.

[0091] The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing to disable the second lead-in code when the second unit machining program includes a second lead-in code for executing lead-in machining along a path connected to a second tool path for generating a second cutting surface. Specifically, the first lead-in code can be disabled by entering a value of 0 into the argument I of the G65 code that calls the macro program O0003 to generate the integrated machining program 7. Note that this method of disabling is not limited to this, and the first lead-in code may be deleted from the unit machining program 8 or skipped using other methods such as an IF statement.

[0092] The nesting program 6 has the above-mentioned instructions. Therefore, it can be said that the nesting program 6 has instructions to generate an integrated machining program 7 in which a plurality of target products of a plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a are nested, such that when a first shape, which is the shape of a first cut surface that is one of at least one pipe cut surface of a first unit machining program among the plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a received by the input device 32, matches a second shape, which is the shape of a second cut surface that is one of at least one pipe cut surface of a second unit machining program among the plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a, the first cut surface and the second cut surface are made to face each other based on the arrangement characteristics and machined on a common line.

[0093] Next, the processing of the nesting program 6 when common line machining is not permitted by input of the toggle button 73 will be described. When the input disallows common line machining, the nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, instructs the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing to generate the integrated machining program 7 so as to separately machine the first cut surface and the second cut surface described above. FIG. 10 shows an example of the confirmation screen 50A for the integrated machining program 7 when the input disallows common line machining is entered using the toggle button 73. FIG. 11 shows an overview of the program code of the integrated machining program 7 when common line machining is not permitted. In FIG. 10, elements having the same configuration or function as elements indicated by the same reference numerals in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0094] Referring to the computer graphics 51A of FIG. 10, when the toggle button 73 is pressed to input that does not permit common line machining, the rotational translational transformation process that is performed when common line machining is performed is not executed, and the target product of the first unit machining program and the target product of the second unit machining program are aligned in the longitudinal direction D of the workpiece W (pipe). L11 , unlike the integrated machining program 7 in FIG. 7 , the integrated machining program 7A in FIG. 11 differs from the integrated machining program 7 in FIG. 7 in that the G65 code that calls macro program O0002 sets argument J to 1, thereby setting the macro program O0002 to perform lead-in machining on the rear pipe cut surface of the target product. The G65 code that calls macro program O0003 sets argument I to 1, thereby executing processing that does not perform common line machining, i.e., processing that machines the target product using a tool path for generating the front pipe cut surface of the target product of macro program O0003. Furthermore, the G65 code that calls macro program O0003 sets argument C to 0, thereby preventing the rotational / translational transformation of the workpiece coordinate system. Even in this case, the program codes of macro programs O0002 and O0003 do not need to be modified.

[0095] Next, we will explain the nesting method when an input to perform common line processing is made on the toggle button 73 in the case where the pipe cut surfaces of the target products of the multiple selected unit processing programs 8a selected by the user interface 60 have common line processing compatibility as a layout characteristic but there is no partner for common line processing. Figure 12 is an example of the confirmation screen 50B of the integrated processing program 7 when an input to nest such multiple target products is made. Referring to the computer graphics 51B of Figure 12, it can be seen that the target products of such multiple selected unit processing programs 8a are arranged in the longitudinal direction D of the workpiece W (pipe). L The integrated machining program 7 in this case is generated with the same settings as the integrated machining program 7A in FIG.

[0096] Next, a nesting method will be described when an input to perform common line machining is made using the toggle button 73 in the case where the shapes of the two pipe cut surfaces of the target products of the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a selected by the user interface 60 match but the target products have a layout characteristic that makes them incompatible with common line machining. Fig. 13 is an example of a confirmation screen 50C of the integrated machining program 7 when an input to nest such multiple target products is made. Referring to the computer graphics 51C in Fig. 13, it can be seen that the target products of such multiple selected unit machining programs 8a are arranged in the longitudinal direction D of the workpiece W (pipe). L The integrated machining program 7 in this case is generated with the same settings as the integrated machining program 7A in FIG. <Configuration of external computer 2 and operation of programs installed on external computer 2> The external computer 2 includes a display 41, an input device 42, at least one hardware processor 43, a memory 44, a system bus 46, a network adapter 47, and an input / output interface 48. The at least one hardware processor 43, the memory 44, the system bus 46, the network adapter 47, and the input / output interface 48 are examples of electrical circuits. The system bus 46 electrically connects the at least one hardware processor 43 to the memory 44, the system bus 46, the network adapter 47, and the input / output interface 48 in a manner that allows them to transmit and receive data and instructions to and from each other. The network adapter 47 is a network adapter such as a wired / wireless LAN that connects to the numerical control computer 30 via the communication network 3.

[0097] The input / output interface 48 is an interface for connecting the display 41 and the input device 42 with the hardware processor 43, and refers to, for example, a video card or various serial / parallel communication interfaces. The display 41 is typically connected to a video card and displays images. The input device 42 typically includes a keyboard and buttons. Furthermore, if the display 41 has a touch panel, the input device 42 also includes the touch panel. However, the display 41 and the input device 42 are not limited to the above examples and may be any display and input device connected to the hardware processor 43.

[0098] The memory 44 is configured to store a machining program generation program 4, workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D, an original integrated machining program 9, and a plurality of unit machining programs 8. Each of the plurality of unit machining programs 8 and the original integrated machining program 9 is written in, for example, EIA / ISO program code, and includes code that defines a tool path for cutting out a target product from a plurality of products cut out from a pipe (workpiece W).

[0099] The workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D includes three-dimensional shape data of multiple products and three-dimensional shape data of the workpiece W (pipe). The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, reads the workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D and includes instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute processing to receive user input regarding the placement (position and orientation) of the product within the workpiece W.

[0100] The machining program generation program 4 includes a so-called CAD / CAM software library. The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions for causing the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating an original integrated machining program 9 including multiple tool paths for cutting out multiple products from the workpiece W (pipe) based on shape data of the multiple products, shape data of the workpiece W (pipe), and the arrangement of the multiple products within the workpiece W (pipe). The original integrated machining program 9 is equivalent to a conventional nesting program except that it includes a workpiece profile 81.

[0101] The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, comprises instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating program code including code defining a tool path for cutting out a target product based on shape data of the target product, shape data of the pipe, and the arrangement of the target product within the pipe. The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, comprises instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating a machining profile 80 that indicates the shape of each pipe cut surface of at least one pipe cut surface of the target product and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe. The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, comprises instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating a unit machining program 8 in which the machining profile 80 is inserted into the program code.

[0102] As described above, the machining profile 80 includes a workpiece material profile 81, a product shape profile 82, and a placement characteristic profile 83, and the content of the workpiece material profile 81 is included in workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D. The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions for causing the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating the workpiece material profile 81 based on the workpiece / product CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data 4D.

[0103] The product shape profile 82 includes the placement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe (relative information indicating whether it is front or rear) and the orientation of the plane when the pipe cut surface is flat: "FRONT (REAR) EDGE Y DIRECTION ANGLE:" and "FRONT (REAR) EDGE C OFFSET ANGLE:." The relative position information is determined based on the placement of each of the multiple selected unit machining programs 8a within the target product's workpiece W (pipe). The shape and orientation of the pipe cut surface can be determined from the boundary representation (Brep) of the 3D model contained in the workpiece / product CAD data (4D). The Brep includes three elements: vertices, edges, and surfaces. A surface is an area enclosed by edges. Components of a surface include the normal vectors of its vertices and the equation of the surface. In the technical field of 3D graphics, the normal vector defined by the Brep is defined as a vector pointing outward from the 3D object. The orientation of the plane of the pipe cut surface is determined based on the normal vector and the arrangement (posture) of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe). The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating a product shape profile 82 based on the arrangement of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe) and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D.

[0104] The layout characteristic profile 83 includes common line processing suitability information 83A and at least one allowable rotation angle 83B, and the common line processing suitability information 83A can be obtained based on the shape of each pipe cross section known from the boundary representation (Brep). If the pipe cross section is flat, the layout characteristics of the pipe cross section are determined to be compatible with common line processing, and the common line processing suitability information 83A is determined. If the pipe cross section is not flat, the layout characteristics of the pipe cross section are determined to be incompatible with common line processing, and the common line processing suitability information 83A is determined.

[0105] At least one allowable rotation angle 83B can be determined based on whether the shape of the workpiece W (pipe) is a square pipe, a round pipe, or a pipe with a shape other than those. The shape of the workpiece W (pipe) can be determined from the boundary representation (Brep) of the 3D model of the workpiece W (pipe) included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. If the workpiece W (pipe) is a round pipe, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" is set to 360. If the workpiece W (pipe) is a square pipe, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" is set to 0, 90, or 180. If the shape of the workpiece W (pipe) is other than those, "ALLOWABLE ROTATION ANGLE:" is set to 0. The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating a placement characteristic profile 83 based on the boundary representation of the 3D model of the workpiece W (pipe) included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product.

[0106] The machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating pipe cutting code (code corresponding to a first tool path and a code corresponding to a second tool path) that defines tool paths for generating common line machining candidate cutting surfaces according to the EIA / ISO program format, based on a 3D model of the workpiece W (pipe) and product included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D and the placement (position and orientation) of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe). These processes are implemented by general CAM software, and therefore a detailed description is omitted. However, the machining program generation program 4 differs from CAM software that generates ordinary nesting programs in that it generates code corresponding to tool paths that would be omitted by performing common line machining and allows unnecessary code to be skipped according to a first flag (macro variable #4). Furthermore, the machining program generation program 4, when executed by at least one hardware processor 43, includes instructions to cause the external computer 2 to execute a process of generating program code in a manner that allows lead-in machining to be selectively performed based on a second flag (macro variable #5).

[0107] 8 and 9, the code corresponding to the first tool path can be skipped based on the first flag (macro variable #4). Furthermore, the program code is written in a manner that allows rear lead-in machining to be selectively executed using macro variable #5.

[0108] However, it is also possible to make it possible to skip the code corresponding to the second tool path based on the first flag (macro variable #4). In this case, an IF.THEN.ENDIF statement including processes D1 and D2 can be provided between the code corresponding to the first tool path and the code corresponding to the second tool path, and the sequence number of the destination of the GOTO statement can be set to N3. Furthermore, the code written in a manner that allows rear lead-in machining to be selectively executed using macro variable #5 can be written as program code in a manner that allows front lead-in machining to be selectively executed using macro variable #5.

[0109] It is also possible to selectively skip either the code corresponding to the first tool path or the code corresponding to the second tool path based on the first flag (macro variable #4). In this case, for example, macro variable #4 can be defined as 0 (do not skip), 1 (skip the first tool path), or 2 (skip the second tool path), and an IF statement can be set so that when macro variable #4 is positive, steps B1 and B2 are executed, and when macro variable #4 is 0, steps A1 and A2 are executed. Furthermore, an IF statement can be set so that when macro variable #4 is 1, steps D1 and D2 are executed. Furthermore, when macro variable #4 is 2, an IF.THEN.ENDIF statement can be added to the code in Figures 7 and 8 between the code corresponding to the first tool path and the code corresponding to the second tool path, and a GOTO statement can be added within that statement to move to sequence number N3. Furthermore, the code in Figures 7 and 8 can be changed to code that can switch between front lead-in processing and rear lead-in processing using macro variable #5, and macro variable #5 can be defined as 0 (no lead-in processing), 1 (rear lead-in processing), or 2 (front lead-in processing).

[0110] The external computer 2 has a function of transmitting the generated multiple unit machining programs 8 and the original integrated machining program 9 to the numerical control computer 30 using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or the like. This function may be realized by the machining program generation program 4, or may be realized by other software. The numerical control computer 30 has a function of storing the received multiple unit machining programs 8 and the original integrated machining program 9 in a memory 34. This function may be realized by the nesting program 6, or may be realized by other software. <Unit processing program generation method, nesting method> Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of a unit machining program generation method according to an embodiment. Referring to Fig. 14, the unit machining program generation method includes, in step S1, preparing workpiece / product CAD data 4D in an external computer 2. The unit machining program generation method also includes, in step S2, preparing placement information of the target product within the workpiece W in the external computer 2. In step S2, the placement information of the target product within the workpiece W may be generated by user input, or the placement information may be generated automatically by a function of CAM software in the external computer 2.

[0111] In step S3, the unit machining program generation method includes generating a workpiece profile 81 by the external computer 2 based on the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. In step S4, the unit machining program generation method includes generating a product shape profile 82 by the external computer 2 based on the arrangement of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe) and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. In step S5, the unit machining program generation method includes generating a arrangement characteristic profile 83 by the external computer 2 based on the boundary representation of the 3D model of the workpiece W (pipe) and the boundary representation of the 3D model of the target product included in the workpiece / product CAD data 4D. In steps S4 and S5, relative position information determining the front side and the rear side is determined based on the arrangement of the target product within the workpiece W (pipe).

[0112] The unit machining program generation method includes, in step S6, generating by the external computer 2 code that defines a tool path for generating at least one pipe cut surface. The unit machining program generation method includes, in step S7, generating by the external computer 2 code that enables the pipe cutting code that defines a tool path for generating a common line machining candidate cut surface that has common line machining compatibility among the at least one pipe cut surface to be skipped based on a first flag.

[0113] The unit machining program generation method includes, in step S8, generating code for setting a reference position of a workpiece coordinate system based on the longitudinal length of the pipe of the common line machining candidate cut surface. The unit machining program generation method also includes, in step S9, generating code for setting a reference position of a workpiece coordinate system based on the margin length from the rear end of the target product to be machined or the end face of the pipe immediately before execution of the unit machining program.

[0114] The unit processing program generation method includes, in step S10, generating code by the external computer 2 so that the code generated by S8 and the code generated by S9 can be selected based on a first flag (macro variable #4).

[0115] In step S11, the unit processing program generation method includes generating, by the external computer 2, code that can skip the lead-in code based on a second flag (macro variable #5) when the unit processing program generation method includes a lead-in code for performing lead-in processing along a path connected to a tool path for generating a common line processing candidate cutting surface.

[0116] 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the processing flow of the nesting method according to the embodiment. Referring to Fig. 15, the nesting method includes, in step S21, preparing a plurality of unit machining programs 8 in the numerical control computer 30. Preparing the plurality of unit machining programs 8 in the numerical control computer 30 includes storing the plurality of unit machining programs 8 in the memory of the numerical control computer 30.

[0117] The nesting method includes, in step S22, selecting a plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a from the plurality of unit machining programs 8 by the numerical control computer 30. Selecting the plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a includes, in step S221, setting priorities for the plurality of selected unit machining programs 8a. The nesting method includes, in step S23, determining, by the numerical control computer 30, a set of target products for the plurality of selected unit machining programs to be placed on each pipe based on the material length, and generating carry-in and carry-out codes for each pipe.

[0118] The nesting method includes, in step S24, receiving an input by the numerical control computer 30 via the additional user interface 70 in the integrated machining program 7 as to whether common line machining is permitted. If an input indicating that common line machining is permitted has been made (YES in step S25), the process proceeds to step S26. If an input indicating that common line machining is not permitted has been made (NO in step S25), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0119] 16, the nesting method includes, in step S26, determining by the numerical control computer 30 whether a rear pipe cut surface (first cut surface) of a target product of a first unit machining program, which is determined to be manufactured first according to priority, and a front pipe cut surface (second cut surface) of a target product of a second unit machining program, which is determined to be manufactured after the target product of the first unit machining program according to priority, have common line machining compatibility and whether their first rotation angles are equal. That is, the nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process for determining whether the first cut surface of a target product of the first unit machining program and the second cut surface of a target product of the second unit machining program have common line machining compatibility and whether their first rotation angles are equal. If such a rear pipe cut surface and a front pipe cut surface do not exist (NO in step S26), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0120] The nesting method includes, in step S27, determining by the numerical control computer 30 whether, for a pair of a first cut surface and a second cut surface that meets the condition of step S26, a difference between the second rotation angle of the first cut surface and the second rotation angle of the second cut surface is included in at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cut surface. That is, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, the nesting program 6 includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of determining whether, for a pair of a first cut surface and a second cut surface that meets the condition of step S26, a difference between the second rotation angle of the first cut surface and the second rotation angle of the second cut surface is included in at least one allowable rotation angle of the second cut surface. The difference between the second rotation angle of the first cut surface and the second rotation angle of the second cut surface is the rotation angle of the second cut surface around the X-axis (along the C-axis) with respect to the first cut surface. If the difference is included in at least one of the allowable rotation angles of the second cut surface (YES in step S27), the process proceeds to step S28; if not (NO in step S27), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0121] The nesting method includes, in step S28, generating an integrated machining program 7 by the numerical control computer 30 so that the first cut surface and the second cut surface, which satisfy the conditions of steps S26 and S27, face each other based on their arrangement characteristics, and machine the first cut surface and the second cut surface along a common line. The processing of step S28 must satisfy all of the conditions of steps S25, S26, and S27.

[0122] The nesting method includes, in step S29, generating an integrated machining program 7 by the numerical control computer 30 so that the rear pipe cut surface and the front pipe cut surface are machined separately when the condition of step S25 is not met. That is, when common line machining is not permitted by the input of step S25, the nesting method includes generating an integrated machining program 7 so that the first cut surface and the second cut surface are machined separately.

[0123] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of step S28 in Fig. 16. Referring to Fig. 17, the nesting method includes, in step S281, setting arguments (arguments I, J) of codes (G65 codes) that call each unit machining program 8 by the numerical control computer 30 based on whether the skippable codes of the plurality of unit machining programs 8 are codes that correspond to the first tool path or the second tool path. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing to set arguments (arguments I, J) of codes (G65 codes) that call each unit machining program 8 based on whether the skippable codes of the plurality of unit machining programs 8 are codes that correspond to the first tool path or the second tool path.

[0124] Specifically, in step S282, when the skippable code of the plurality of unit machining programs 8 is the code corresponding to the first tool path, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a first cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 1 and 0, respectively, and the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a second cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 0 and 1, respectively. However, when the target product having a second cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27 has a first cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively. When a target product having a first cut surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S254, S265, and S276 has a second cut surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S254, S265, and S276, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively.

[0125] Furthermore, when the skippable code of the plurality of unit machining programs 8 is the code corresponding to the second tool path, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a second cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 0 and 1, respectively, and the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating a first cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27 are set to 1 and 0, respectively. However, when a target product having a second cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27 has a first cutting surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S25, S26, and S27, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively. When a target product having a first cut surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S254, S265, and S276 has a second cut surface that satisfies all of the conditions in steps S254, S265, and S276, the arguments I and J of the G65 code that calls the macro program for generating this target product are set to 0 and 0, respectively.

[0126] The nesting method includes, in step S282, setting, by the numerical control computer 30, an argument (argument C) of code (G65 code) that calls a unit machining program 8 corresponding to a pipe cut surface, the allowable rotation angle of which is an angle equal to the difference in the second rotation angles found in step S27, to the difference. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes an instruction to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute a process of setting, to the difference, an argument (argument C) of code (G65 code) that calls a unit machining program 8 corresponding to a pipe cut surface, the allowable rotation angle of which is an angle equal to the difference in the second rotation angles found in step S27.

[0127] The nesting method includes, in step S283, setting by the numerical control computer 30 the arguments (arguments I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls the remaining unit machining programs 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) that are used when common line machining is not performed. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing that sets the arguments (arguments I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls the remaining unit machining programs 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) that are used when common line machining is not performed.

[0128] The nesting method includes, in step S284, setting margin values ​​by the numerical control computer 30 based on values ​​input in the numerical input form 71. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing for setting margin values ​​based on values ​​input in the numerical input form 71. This margin value is the value of #24 in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this case, a numerical value may be directly substituted in place of #24.

[0129] The nesting method includes generating, in step S285, code for the integrated machining program 7 including a plurality of call codes (G65 codes) in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S281 to S284 by the numerical control computer 30. The nesting program 6 includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, to execute a process for generating code for the integrated machining program 7 including a plurality of call codes (G65 codes) in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S281 to S284.

[0130] Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of step S29 in Fig. 16. Referring to Fig. 18, the nesting method includes, in step S292, setting, by the numerical control computer 30, the arguments (I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls all unit machining programs 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) that are used when common line machining is not performed. The nesting program 6, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, includes instructions to cause the numerical control computer 30 to execute processing that sets the arguments (I, J, C) of the code (G65 code) that calls all unit machining programs 8 to the set values ​​(1, 1, 0) that are used when common line machining is not performed. Thereafter, the processing of step S284 described above is executed.

[0131] Finally, in step S292, the nesting method includes generating, by the numerical control computer 30, code for the integrated machining program 7 including a plurality of call codes (G65 codes) in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S292 and S284. The nesting program 6 includes instructions for causing the numerical control computer 30, when executed by at least one hardware processor 33, to execute a process for generating code for the integrated machining program 7 including a plurality of call codes (G65 codes) in order of priority based on the values ​​set in steps S292 and S284. <Effects of the embodiment> In the nesting method, pipe processing machine 1, pipe processing system 100, and nesting program 6 disclosed in this embodiment, multiple unit processing programs 8 include processing profiles 80. The processing profile 80 is defined separately from the tool path of the target product and indicates the shape of each pipe cross section of at least one pipe cross section of the target product and the placement characteristics of each pipe cross section within the pipe. Therefore, the processing profile 80 contains most of the information required to reconstruct a nested processing program on an NC device. Therefore, even if a product to be machined in the integrated processing program 7 is selected from products that were machined in a previously generated original integrated processing program 9, the user can generate the integrated processing program 7 with only a few inputs via the user interface 60 and the additional user interface 70. Therefore, the nesting method, pipe processing machine 1, pipe processing system 100, and nesting program 6 disclosed in this embodiment enable easy reconstruction of a nested integrated processing program on an NC device.

[0132] The unit machining program generation method, the external computer 2, the pipe machining system 100, and the machining program generation program 4 disclosed in this embodiment make it possible to generate a unit machining program including the machining profile 80 as described above. <Modification> The unit machining program 8 is called in the integrated machining program 7 using the G65 code, but other codes such as the M98 code may also be used as the call code. Since the M98 code cannot pass values ​​using arguments, when the M98 code is used, it is advisable to add codes that directly input values ​​into the first to third flags and macro variables (#3, #4, #5, #6, etc.) related to other variables.

[0133] The input forms and icons shown in the user interface 60 and the additional user interface 70 may be different from the input forms and icons shown in Figures 4 to 6, 10, 12, and 13, as long as the functions described in the embodiments remain unchanged. The layout of the various graphic elements shown in the user interface 60 and the additional user interface 70 may be different from the layout of the various graphic elements shown in Figures 4 to 6, 10, 12, and 13. Furthermore, graphic elements that are displayed in Figures 4 to 6, 10, 12, and 13 but are not described in the embodiments may be omitted.

[0134] When the unit machining program 8 is configured so that the program code corresponding to the second tool path can be skipped, the rear margin length may be input into the numerical value input form 71.

[0135] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the processing order of the target products is determined based on the priority order. However, the priority order may determine only which pipes are used to manufacture the target products. As long as the target products are manufactured using the same pipe, the processing order may differ from the priority order. For example, the processing order of the target products may be determined so that common wire processing is used more frequently. Alternatively, if products are manufactured using the same pipe and common wire processing is possible but they are not processed consecutively, a warning message may be displayed on the order list 49. Furthermore, the determination of whether the total length of a set of target products nested in order of priority of the selected unit processing program 8a exceeds the material length may be performed by determining whether the total length exceeds the material length by assuming the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the pipes of the target products as the total length, or by determining whether the total length exceeds the material length by assuming the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the pipes of the target products minus the sum of the lengths shortened by using common wire processing as the total length.

[0136] Some or all of the logic functions of the above-described machining program generation program 4 and nesting program 6 may be realized by a dedicated processor or integrated circuit. The above-described machining program generation program 4 and nesting program 6 may not only be stored in the memories 44 and 34, but may also be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium that is removable from the computer, such as a disk (e.g., a floppy disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, or a magnetic disk), an SD card, a USB memory, or an external hard disk.

[0137] In this application, the term "comprises" and its derivatives are open-ended terms that describe the presence of elements and do not exclude the presence of other elements not listed. This also applies to the terms "have," "include," and their derivatives.

[0138] The terms "member," "part," "element," "body," and "structure" may have multiple meanings, such as a single part or multiple parts.

[0139] Ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are merely terms used to identify components and do not have any other meaning (e.g., a particular order). For example, the presence of a "first element" does not imply the presence of a "second element," and the presence of a "second element" does not imply the presence of a "first element."

[0140] Words expressing degrees, such as "substantially," "about," and "approximately," can mean a reasonable deviation that does not significantly change the final result, unless otherwise specified in the embodiment. All numerical values ​​described in this application can be interpreted to include words such as "substantially," "about," and "approximately."

[0141] In this application, the phrase "at least one of A and B" should be interpreted to include A only, B only, and both A and B.

[0142] It is apparent that various changes and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above disclosure, and therefore, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. a plurality of unit processing programs are prepared in a numerical control computer that controls the operation of a pipe processing machine, each of which includes in its program code a code that defines a tool path for cutting out a target product from among a plurality of products that are cut out from a pipe, and a processing profile that is defined separately from the tool path and indicates the shape of each pipe cut surface of at least one pipe cut surface of the target product and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe; selecting a plurality of selected unit machining programs to be nested from the plurality of unit machining programs by the numerical control computer; When a first shape, which is the shape of a first cut surface, which is one of the at least one pipe cut surfaces, of a first unit processing program among the plurality of selected unit processing programs, matches a second shape, which is the shape of a second cut surface, which is one of the at least one pipe cut surfaces, of a second unit processing program among the plurality of selected unit processing programs, the numerical control computer generates an integrated processing program in which a plurality of the target products of the plurality of selected unit processing programs are nested, so that the first cut surface and the second cut surface are opposed to each other based on the arrangement characteristics and the first cut surface and the second cut surface are machined on a common line. Including, Nesting method.

2. The numerical control computer receives an input as to whether or not common line machining is permitted in the integrated machining program; When the common line machining is permitted by the input, the integrated machining program is generated so as to perform common line machining on the first cutting plane and the second cutting plane; When the common line machining is not permitted by the input, the integrated machining program is generated so as to machine the first cutting plane and the second cutting plane separately. further comprising: The nesting method of claim 1 .

3. The arrangement characteristics further include common line processing suitability information indicating either common line processing suitability, which indicates that each of the pipe cut surfaces is to be subject to the common line processing, or common line processing insuitability, which indicates that each of the pipe cut surfaces is not to be subject to the common line processing. The nesting method of claim 1 .

4. When each of the pipe cut surfaces is a flat cut surface, the arrangement characteristics of the flat cut surfaces have the common line processing compatibility; The shape of the planar cut surface is defined by a first rotation angle formed by a reference plane, which is a plane perpendicular to a first rotation axis along the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and the planar cut surface, and a second rotation angle, which is an angle formed by an intersection line between the reference plane and the planar cut surface and a reference axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis, the integrated machining program is generated so that the first shape and the second shape are machined on a common line when the first rotation angle of the first cut surface and the first rotation angle of the second cut surface are equal.

4. The nesting method of claim 3.

5. the tool path is defined by a workpiece coordinate system defined in each of the plurality of unit machining programs; the integrated processing program includes an instruction to manufacture a target product of the first unit processing program before a target product of the second unit processing program; generating the integrated machining program determining a plurality of transformation parameters that define a rotational / translational transformation for transforming from the workpiece coordinate system of the first unit machining program to the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program so that a first tool path for generating the first cutting surface coincides with a second tool path for generating the second cutting surface; providing code for setting a process for setting the position of a reference point of a workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on a translation parameter that defines a translation transformation among the plurality of transformation parameters, and a process for setting the orientation of each coordinate axis of the workpiece coordinate system of the second unit machining program based on a rotation parameter that defines a rotation transformation among the plurality of transformation parameters, before the code that defines the second tool path; Disabling one of the code defining the first tool path and the code defining the second tool path; Including, 5. The nesting method of claim 4.

6. The placement characteristics further include at least one allowable rotation angle that allows the target product to be rotated around the first rotation axis in the nesting so that the outer peripheral shapes of the pipes match when the pipes are viewed in a direction along the first rotation axis; the rotation parameters include one of the at least one allowed rotation angles of the second cross-section.

6. The nesting method of claim 5.

7. The translation parameters include lengths of the first and second cutting planes that are commonly processed in the longitudinal direction.

6. The nesting method of claim 5.

8. selecting the plurality of selected unit machining programs includes setting priorities of the plurality of selected unit machining programs; generating the integrated machining program includes generating code for calling the selected unit machining programs in the order of priority; The nesting method of claim 1 .

9. when the first unit machining program includes a first lead-in code for executing lead-in machining along a path connected to a first tool path for generating the first cutting surface, generating the integrated machining program includes disabling the first lead-in code; When the second unit machining program includes a second lead-in code for executing lead-in machining along a path connected to a second tool path for generating the second cutting surface, generating the integrated machining program includes disabling the second lead-in code. The nesting method of claim 1 .

10. generating, by a computer, program code including code for defining a tool path for cutting out the target product based on shape data of the target product, shape data of the pipe, and the arrangement of the target product within the pipe; generating, by the computer, a machining profile that is defined separately from the tool path and indicates the shape of each pipe cut surface of at least one pipe cut surface of the target product and the arrangement characteristics of each pipe cut surface within the pipe; generating a unit machining program in which the machining profile is inserted into the program code by the computer; Including, A method for generating a unit processing program.

11. The arrangement characteristics further include common line processing suitability information indicating either common line processing suitability, which indicates that each of the pipe cut surfaces is to be a target for common line processing, or common line processing insuitability, which indicates that each of the pipe cut surfaces is not to be a target for common line processing, generating the program code a code for skipping a pipe cutting code that defines a tool path for generating a candidate common line machining cutting surface having the common line machining suitability among the at least one pipe cutting surface in a workpiece coordinate system based on a first flag; a code for selecting, based on the first flag, whether to execute the process of setting the reference position of the workpiece coordinate system based on the length of the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the common line processing candidate cut surface, or based on the end face of the pipe or the margin length from the rear end of the target product to be processed immediately before execution of the unit processing program; generating a The unit processing program generating method according to claim 10.

12. generating the program code When a lead-in code for executing lead-in machining along a path connected to a tool path for generating the common line machining candidate cutting surface is included, generating a code capable of skipping the lead-in code based on a second flag. further comprising: The unit processing program generating method according to claim 11.

13. A pipe processing machine comprising a numerically controlled computer configured to carry out the nesting method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

14. a pipe processing machine comprising a numerically controlled computer configured to carry out the nesting method of any one of claims 1 to 9; an external computer configured to execute the unit processing program generation method according to any one of claims 10 to 12; a communication network connecting the numerical control computer and the external computer; A pipe processing system comprising:

15. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the nesting method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or the unit processing program generation method of any one of claims 10 to 12.

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